Press releases

In face of the sentences of three of the leading activists of the 2011 revolution, MP Franziska Brantner states: The sentences of Ahmed Maher, Ahmed Douma and Mohamed Adel reject again all hopes for rule of law and democracy in Egypt. As founding members of the 6 April movement, Ahmed Maher and Mohamed Adel have … weiterlesen

Commenting on the debate on possible responses following the use of chemical weapons near Damascus and the search for possible solutions to the Syria conflict, Green foreign policy co-spokespersons Franziska Brantner and Ulrike Lunacek stated:

“The use of chemical weapons represents a shocking breach of international law that must not go unanswered. While urgent action is now required by the international community, no decision should be made before the findings of the UN expert mission are available.

“Any international response must take place within the multilateral framework. Last night’s meeting of the UN Security Council suggests it will not fulfil its mandate of maintaining world peace, notably due to Russia’s obstructionism. Against this background, the EU should push for the United Nations General Assembly to address the conflict as a matter of urgency. The General Assembly should consider and decide on possible international reactions to the use of chemical weapons, as well as possible ways out of this brutal war, which has already claimed more than 100,000 lives. weiterlesen

Commenting on the regime’s violent clearing of the protestors’ camps and the consequent bloodshed and lethal clashes in the Egyptian streets, Franziska Brantner, foreign affairs spokesperson of the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, said:

“Despite considerable mediation efforts and repeated warnings by the EU and the US, addressing the current Egyptian regime to refrain from a violent clampdown on the Muslimbrotherhood’s protest camps, the regime cleared the camps by force leading to bloodshed and a deep crisis. Now, the EU must act weiterlesen

Following the meetings of High Representative Ashton in Egypt and amid continued danger of escalation in the streets of Egypt, Franziska Brantner, foreign affairs spokesperson of the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, said:

“I welcome Ms Ashton’s initiative, which has raised hopes in Egypt. The EU must now maintain the momentum through a series of intensive and prolonged meetings at different levels and with mediation experts. weiterlesen

Commenting on the continued mass protests and escalating violence in Egypt, MEP Franziska Brantner, foreign affairs spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group stated:

“I am deeply concerned about the current developments and increased violence in Egypt and believe the international community should do more than stand by and watch. The EU and USA must send a strong message to the Egyptian army that they will not support it following a military coup. At the same time, the EU and USA must urge President Morsi to both find a peaceful solution to the crisis and call for early elections, failing which it will stop any financial support. weiterlesen

Today the European Parliament adopted its recommendations for reforming the European External Action Service. When the service was founded in December 2010, EU High Representative and foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was tasked to review the functioning of the service within three years’ time. She is expected to release a report to that effect in the coming weeks. With its critical and constructive recommendations, the European Parliament is contributing to the ongoing debate. After today’s votes, Franziska Brantner, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs of the Greens/EFA group, said:

“Although nobody should expect miracles after only three years, some important structural short-comings have emerged in the External Action Service’s operation. Catherine Ashton should quickly address these issues. The service is marred by three key problems: It is too top-heavy, too inflexible, and its structures are not conducive to forging a comprehensive policy approach. weiterlesen

The European Parliament today adopted its annual report on the accession progress of Serbia. Commenting on the report and the ongoing talks on a normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, Green foreign affairs spokesperson Franziska Brantner said:

“Today’s vote is clearly overshadowed by last night’s regrettable breakdown in the talks between Serbia and Kosovo on a normalisation of relations. Serbia risks derailing its own accession progress with its intransigence in the talks. Hopefully Belgrade will show the flexibility necessary for a breakthrough in the coming days. It would be a shame to simply abandon the hard work and negotiations of the last few years. weiterlesen

The European Parliament today adopted a recommendation to the Council on the UN principle of ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P). Speaking after the vote, EP draftsperson/rapporteur and Green foreign affairs spokesperson Franziska Brantner said:

“The EP has today sent a strong message to EU governments and the foreign policy high representative to adopt a ‘European Consensus’ on the ‘Responsibility to Protect’, with a view to clarifying what the principle means for EU foreign policy and the EU’s role in its implementation. The cacophony of European responses to the upheavals of the Arab Spring and the mass atrocities and violations that followed clearly underlined the need for a common EU approach. weiterlesen

“While yesterday’s announcement that Serbia was rejecting the deal is clearly a blow, the hard work and negotiations of the last few years should not simply be abandoned. The opportunity for compromise remains within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Clearly, agreement on normalising relations is a pre-requisite for EU accession talks with Serbia to be opened but while the window of opportunity remains, the door must be left open. weiterlesen

“The forced resignation of Mali’s prime minister reveals how critical the political situation in Mali continues to be. The resulting power vacuum and the role of the military challenge the underlying foundations of the EU military training mission to which EU foreign ministers gave the go-ahead yesterday. weiterlesen